LET’S TALK ABOUT STRESS BABY…
It was 3:00 am last Monday morning, and we awoke to emergency notifications on our cell phones, home phones, and email. There was a fire raging about a mile away and it was headed our direction. Having been through this a few times before, we already knew exactly what to pack and procedures to follow to ensure my wife and I, and the dogs, all got out safely, but that didn’t make it any less stressful.
The threat of fire (and potential death) is definitely one of the more stressful things you can be faced with in life, but day to day stress is no joke either. I am still convinced that it was not properly dealing with my stress load which brought on Ramsey Hunt Syndrome (RHS) a couple of years back. Since then, I’ve taken stress very seriously, and I take de-stressing even more seriously. In my last newsletter, I mentioned some of the different recovery methods I use for my body, and some of those same recovery methods are also great ways to help manage stress, such as baths, yoga, and infrared saunas.
I’ve been speaking around the world about personal development for years, and I share my experience with personal development in my latest book The Big Picture as well. Last year at one of these speaking events, I had the pleasure of meeting singer and songwriter Jewel. We discussed her mindfulness and breathing practice, which she began when she was just a child; they were the survival tools she used to cope with chaotic family life, and later anxiety-filled teenage years. Since then I’ve been successfully using those techniques to help me cope with some of the lingering symptoms of my RHS, and it’s a great way to deal with stress as well.
A little stress here and there isn’t something to be too concerned with, but ongoing, chronic stress can cause or exacerbate serious health problems, not the least of which is heart attack and stroke. I’m convinced it was stress in my life that brought on my RHS two years ago, and since then, I am constantly checking in with myself and taking more time to unwind, defrag, chill out, and just be…I even take naps now!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there are very few things in life that YOU actually control, so stop being attached to the outcome. If you feel stress coming on, or find yourself in the throes of stress, there are a few things that you can control.
Number 1. Stop what you’re doing. Seriously, just stop right where you are and try one or two of the techniques below that feels right for you.
2. Breathe deeply. I know, that’s not new or exciting, right? But it works! Why? Because deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness.
3. Next try yoga oms, meditation, or prayer with gratitude. Whatever you choose, try to clear your mind of anything that causes anxiety – be in the moment and be grateful.
4. Try other practices that reduce stress and make them a regular part of your day or your week. My personal favorites are yoga, soaking in the tub, and deep breathing. The other stress management tools that no one should be living without are cutting the crap out of your diet and eating more clean and healthy meals, getting enough sleep every night, and you guessed it, regular exercise.
A healthy diet can help counter the impact of stress by shoring up the immune system and lowering blood pressure. Conversely, a poor diet full of sugar, salt, fat, and processed foods causes inflammation and deprives your body of necessary nutrients that help combat stress, creating a vicious cycle. Getting enough sleep is crucial for your body to recover from stressful events, so don’t skimp on sleep! Lastly, if you’ve ever heard anything I’ve said, read my books, or followed me on social media, then you already know why regular exercise is crucial to every function of your body, especially those feel-good chemicals produced in your brain when your exercise. I’m talking dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and brain-derived neurotropic factor Baby! Chemicals that help you feel happy, sleep better and protect against stress-induced neuronal damage. BOOM! I think we just found the most important part of stress management. You’re welcome.
I hope you will give these and try and report back to me on social media and share which techniques are your favorites. I want you to live a long, happy, joyous, healthy, stress-less life.
Your Pal,
Tony